[CW] What is a good straight key?

Fri May 20 07:22:53 EDT 2011

Hi DR,

Yes, but my price quote is for used MP Pedersens/Amplidans which are still reasonably available in Scandinavia for DKK 600 - 1000; roughly $100 -  180.

I think your best bet, if your handy and have the necessary tools, is to build your own key.
I've made some crude units myself and have some new design ideas in mind.

Henry, Cph.
oz1uf/ou5t/oz3o,  n2nr

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: D.J.J. Ring, Jr. 
  To: CW Reflector 
  Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 1:11 PM
  Subject: Re: [CW] What is a good straight key?

  Unfortunately the MP Pederson key which was sold to Amplidan is no longer in production - a causality of "no code" changes in testing.  Likewise the Lennart Petterson key sold by Swedish Radio Supply - I think this is the key you're remembering as it was about $250.  The Amplidan was about $375.00.

  They are indeed a very good keys.

  I've not used the Begali Blade but I've heard wonderful things.

  My favorite straight keys are these:

  First Tier

  Marconi 365 A B C or D series.
  Amplidan or MP Pederson key - last sold for about $350.
  GHD top of the line.

  If you want to just send you name one time, wires can be used, but if you want to send for 8 hours a day you need something good.

  One excellent key that is easily found is the Navy Flame Proof key - and will compare with these as a third tier key - but is only $35 or $50 at a flea market often less.

  David J. Ring, Jr., N1EA
  SOWP, VWOA, OOTC, FISTS, CW-Ops, CFO, A1-OP, ex-FOC 1271 ARRL-LM
  Chat Skype: djringjr MSN: djringjr at msn.com AIM: N1EA icq: 27380609

  Radio-Officers Google Group -- Marine Morse Historic Recordings Page

  On Fri, May 20, 2011 at 5:49 AM, Henry Frederick Meiseles 'Meils' <meils at get2net.dk> wrote:

    Also,  the Danish M. P. Pedersen (maritime) straight key is reputed to be an excellent key -- usually sells for about $100. I find it great for moderate speeds but not for QRQ. Very sturdy, high quality construction.

    HFM, Cph. oz3o n2nr

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